Obituary of Samuel (Jack) John Leadbeater

January 28, 1951 – Calgary, Alberta

December 3, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Jack Leadbeater, of Calgary, AB, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the age of 73 years.

Jack was born and raised in Calgary, AB along with his one sibling, David, and lived most of his life in Calgary, except for a brief one-year period when he took his young family to live in Taber, AB.

As teenagers, Jack and David enjoyed riding horses together and were members of the East Gate Saddle Club. A special memory is of one occasion when they rode in the Calgary Stampede Parade. Living close to the Stampede grounds gave them ample opportunity to sneak into Stampede Park to see the action inside. Horse racing caught Jack’s attention, so much so that he ran away from home to join the horse racing circuit for a few months.

After high school, Jack began his career in the automotive parts business when he took an opportunity as a salesperson for Allied Distributors, quickly being promoted to manager. This is where he met his first wife, Judy Locke, who was working in accounts receivable. They dated for less than a year, married in 1972, and raised their two children over their 23-year marriage.

Jack was dedicated to attending Tricia and Kevin’s various sports and arts activities. He enjoyed the countless hours he spent driving to hockey games and practices and volunteered much of his time over many years on Kevin’s hockey teams. He was also a regular patron of Tricia’s piano recitals and figure skating practices. While his children were young and into their teenage years, almost every summer included Jack leading the family camping trip to interior B.C. lakes. Summer destinations sometimes included visiting his brother David and David’s family.

Jack was a patient and kind father and was often relied upon by his children for all kinds of life advice as they grew into adults.

Throughout Jack’s life, his career included various roles in sales, management, and driving. He was drawn to meeting and working with people. While he was a private person, he enjoyed the camaraderie of colleagues and clients, sharing jokes and stories, and checking in on their well-being. He befriended many workmates over his career, and he always took great pride and satisfaction in his work, regardless of what position he held or at which company.

Jack loved sports and enjoyed a once-weekly curling match with his friends and family; a tradition that lasted over fifteen years and started when he was first married. During this time, he would also pick up a game of golf when he could. He always enjoyed following hockey, first as a season ticket holder to the Calgary Centennials, and then for many years, he had tickets to the Calgary Flames. He was a Flames fan from their arrival in Calgary in 1980. For many years, he was also a regular Stampeders ticket holder.

His journey with his second wife, Elena (née Giglia), lasted almost 30 years. He was welcomed into her family with open arms, and he in turn embraced their Spanish culture and traditions. He was a doting and loving grandfather to Noaah, watching her grow into adulthood and an accomplished medical student. Jack’s free time included regular visits with this side of his family, especially enjoying gathering for Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations. He and Elena enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, where together they would see shows, and enjoy great food and warm weather.

Jack leaves behind his wife Elena Giglia; children, Tricia Leadbeater and Kevin (Sheena) Leadbeater; stepdaughter Fabi (Paul) Reaume; grandchildren, Carson, Cassidy, and Noaah; former wife Judy Locke; brother David (Deanna) Leadbeater; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Memorial Services for Jack’s family and friends will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 2:30 pm.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in Jack’s name directly to either the Calgary Humane Society by mail or in-person at 4455 110 Avenue SE, Calgary AB, T2C 2T7 attn: Fund Development (https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/donate/donate-money/), or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada by mail at Heart And Stroke Foundation, 1200-2300 Yonge Street, Box 2414, Toronto ON, M4P 1E4 (https://www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give).

Messages for the family may be shared at McInnis and Holloway’s tribute page under Jack’s name here.

In living memory of Jack Leadbeater, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

Click to View the Memorial Card for Jack Leadbeater